Samba Diakite receives Mali call-up

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Samba Diakite has been included in the Mali squad that will compete at January's Africa Cup of Nations.

The 23-year-old's selection means that Wednesday's clash with Chelsea will be his last appearance for the R's for a number of weeks.

He is expected to meet up with his international colleagues on Saturday, with Mali's first group match against Niger due to take place on Sunday, January 20.

Mali have also been drawn alongside Ghana and DR Congo.